Tens of thousands of people have been entertained at GTC theaters in Garden Grove, Fullerton, and Burbank since our founding in September of 1994. They have laughed, cried, and applauded for GTC productions of world premiere dramas, classic American comedies, recent Broadway hits, and innovative stagings of the classics. The range, depth, and quality of the theater that Grove Theater Center creates truly makes us Southern California's home for Real. Live. Fun.

Just a few of GTC's accomplishments include:

GTC has produced or co-produced over 100 professional theater productions (employing members of Actors’ Equity Association and/or the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers).

GTC has produced 15 world premieres: two have since been published and produced dozens of times all over the country (including NYC); one was videotaped for cable release and toured the East Coast; eight transferred to extended runs in Los Angeles; and one went on to have a reading at Manhattan Theater Club featuring Richard Dreyfuss on its way to a possible Broadway run.

GTC co-produced the first Orange County show nominated as best production in the LA Ovation Awards.

GTC produced a collection of seldom seen works by Samuel Beckett which subsequently toured Europe culminating with performances in London.

GTC is consistently the only Orange County Theater other than SCR and Laguna Playhouse which is covered by the major critics and cited in their annual roundup of the best in theater.

GTC has co-produced with Academy Award-winning producer David Brown, Emmy Award-winning producer Gil Adler, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Tony-nominated Broadway producer Christopher Hart.

About the Founders

Kevin Cochran graduated from Yale University as a Scholar of the House in theater, design and circus arts. He was Artistic Director of Ensemble Theater Company in New Haven for four seasons. In New York, he directed the Off-Broadway premieres of Lightin' Out at the Judith Anderson Theater, Offending Shadows at Ensemble Studio Theater, and The Gospel According to Omaha at the William Redfield Theater. Kevin served as an NEA Management Consultant for the New Mexico Repertory Theater, Special Advisor to the American Stage Company, and the primary project consultant for the Akron Stage Company. For two years he was on the LA Advisory Committee for the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, the union of professional directors. As an educator, Kevin has taught theater, marketing, and graphic design including two years on the faculty of New Haven's High School for the Performing Arts, guest directing at Fordham University, and three years in continuing education at Columbia University.

Charles Johanson started his theatrical career working for Theatrical Consultants, ltd. in NYC as a casting director for regional theaters. In 1984, he was hired by the Ensemble Theatre Company of New Haven, Connecticut, where he produced four seasons of theater (over 21 productions). In 1989, Charles was invited by CSULB to join their staff as Director of Development and Marketing for their new California Repertory Theater. In 1991, Charles joined the staff of GroveShakespeare where he served as General Manager under three different artistic directors. As an independent theatrical and concert producer/promoter, Charles has produced productions at the Los Angeles Theater Center (world premiere of Pigs on Passion and Charles Bukowski’s Short Hairs and Long Shots), Moon over Madness for the Los Angeles Physical Theater Company at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, and concerts at UCLA’s Royce Hall, The Wiltern Theater in LA, Bridges Hall in Claremont, The Alex Theater of Glendale, OC's Irvine Barclay Theater and New York City's Carnegie Hall.

Grove Theater Center Board of Directors

Vincent D’Agostino

Vin is currently the Principal and CTO at BNS Solutions, an engineering and technical marketing consulting firm, which he founded in 1998. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics and Junior Achievement.

Scott Evans

An educator and theater director, Scott has taught for 10 years in the California school system including both charter schools and related educational programs. He headed the theater department at Yosemite High School, a California Distinguished High School, and currently teaches English and Shakespeare at Norwalk High School.

Sondi Kroeger Foley (Artist Representative)

A well known voice over artist (best known as the official voice of Bally’s Fitness Centers), Sondi has appeared on stage at theaters throughout Southern California including six plays with Grove Theater Center (including last season’s The Baby Dance and the title character in Sylvia).

William Powell

William represents the Cardiac Assist division of DataScope, Inc. Past positions include Development Officer for secondary educational institutions; marketing work for acting schools in the Los Angeles area; and West Coast sales rep for thermal products.

Thomas Reusing (Secretary/Treasurer)

Tom moved to Orange County while serving his country in the Marines. He is currently President and CEO of Direct Recruiting Services, a nationwide executive search and human resource management firm. He is also a World Oyama Karate Black Belt and just won a gold medal at the Pan American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition.

Kevin Cochran (Artistic Director, CEO)

Kevin was Artistic Director of Ensemble Theater Company in New Haven for four seasons and has directed Off-Broadway, regionally, and at Universities across the country. He served as an NEA Management Consultant for New Mexico Repertory Theater, Special Advisor to the American Stage Company, and the primary project consultant for the Akron Stage Company. In 1994, he co-founded Grove Theater Center. Kevin graduated as a Scholar of the House from Yale University.

Charles Johanson (Executive Director, CFO)

Charles started his theatrical career working for Theatrical Consultants, ltd. in NYC as a casting director for regional theaters. In 1984, he was hired by the Ensemble Theatre Company of New Haven, Connecticut where he produced four seasons of theater. In 1991, Charles joined the staff of Grove Shakespeare where he served as General Manager under three different artistic directors. In 1994, he co-founded Grove Theater Center. Charles has produced productions and concerts at the Los Angeles Theater Center, John Anson Ford Amphitheater, UCLA’s Royce Hall, The Wiltern Theater, Bridges Hall in Claremont, The Alex Theater of Glendale, OC's Irvine Barclay Theater and NYC's Carnegie Hall.

Gene Andres (Executive Committee)

A past president of the Orange County Bar Association, Gene currently practices law with Andres and Andres, whose offices are housed in an office and business complex, renovated by Gene and his wife, which won a 2002 Community Building Award in Santa Ana. He also serves on the Board of Think Together, an after school program dedicated to assisting educationally at-risk youth in low-income areas by providing academic support and homework assistance in order for them to stay in and succeed in school.

David C. Seigle (President)

David is currently Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Orange County Community Foundation, Orange County's Largest Center for Charitable giving with assets in excess of 62 million dollars. A retired executive, David was a founder of FileNet where he served as the Senior VP of International Operations, and has served on the boards of a number of public and private companies including SeatAdvisor Corporation (President), FieldCentrix Corporation, Kofax Image Products, Interface Systems, Microsim Corporation and Action Instruments.